Seeing through a glass darkly...

and some days are darker than others...

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Location: United States

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Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Child of God

Today the "sexiest man alive" told Oprah when she inquired as to "who" he was as a person, that he was "a Child of God." She was stunned, looked at him and said, "Of all the celebrities who have ever sat on my stage you are the first who has ever identified as a Child of God!" Equally as shocking was the fact that that was the first descriptor this man used in speaking of himself. I thought he was attractive before, but after that comment he got a whole lot more attractive!

There's an odd thing that happens when you tell people that you are a Child of God. Some look at you as if you've stepped off another planet, others laugh nervously, and yet others will look at you with tears in their eyes as they realize that they too are a Child of God. For some this revelation is painful because their realtionship with their parents was less than stellar. Others are simply struck by the profundity of that understanding of our relationship with God.

Today, remember that you are a Child of God. If you are lost He will go to the ends of the earth to find you. Ponder these words from Isaiah 43: 1-7.
1
But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, and formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine.
2
When you pass through the water, I will be with you; in the rivers you shall not drown. When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned; the flames shall not consume you.
3
For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in return for you.
4
Because you are precious in my eyes and glorious, and because I love you, I give men in return for you and peoples in exchange for your life.
5
Fear not, for I am with you; from the east I will bring back your descendants, from the west I will gather you.
6
I will say to the north: Give them up! and to the south: Hold not back! Bring back my sons from afar, and my daughters from the ends of the earth:
7
Everyone who is named as mine, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.

Monday, May 01, 2006

Heart to Heart

A friend and I were talking about my spiritual life just now and he asked how I was doing. I've been struggling to keep up with mine, especially as finals have closed in. I told him that I'm doing better about keeping up, but still not where I should be.

His reply took my breath away and is a reminder all of us should heed. "Where you should be is in the arms of Christ. Go there and let Him hold you up to the Father."

I pray that each of us will flee to the arms of Christ and hold on tightly. Even when we kick and struggle like a little child fighting to get down from his father's embrace, He won't let us go. He'll hold us close to His heart and then, like a father, lift us up towards the heavens, towards His Father.

When we do struggle free, impetuous children that we are, when we stumble and come running back holding up our arms looking for comfort, He'll lean down again, scoop us up, dry our tears, look into our big eyes, filled with contrition -- searching His for forgiveness, and shower us with His Divine Mercy as He holds us close once again.

Today, be where you should be. Sit in His lap, lean your head on His merciful heart, and be at rest.